MC School of Nursing receives IHL approval for two MSN tracks; Stage I approval for DNP track
The Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning has approved two new Master of Science in Nursing tracks for the School of Nursing at Mississippi College: one with a concentration in nursing education and the other with a concentration in nursing administration.
These options are fully online and join the school’s robust undergraduate and graduate offerings.
“The Mississippi College School of Nursing is expanding in significant ways,” said MC Nursing Dean Kelly Harden. “Applicants for these tracks aim to advance their education and leadership skills in today’s challenging healthcare environment.”
In addition, the school has also developed three fully online Doctor of Nursing (DNP) tracks that are currently in Stage II of IHL’s approval process.
The DNP in Nursing Education would be the first in the state, and the DNP in Executive Leadership would join only one other. Once approved by the IHL Board of Trustees, recruitment can begin.
Harden said nurses seeking admission to these tracks aim to become highly skilled educators and leaders who will improve healthcare, shape policy, lead change, and meet the needs of diverse populations in Mississippi and throughout the U.S.
“The addition of these MSN and DNP options to our portfolio is evidence of our commitment to our mission: ‘to cultivate mission-minded practitioners prepared to navigate complex healthcare systems with integrity, evidence-informed curiosity, and a commitment to continuous learning,’” she said.
MC Provost and Executive Vice President Mike Highfield said he is grateful to the IHL Board for acknowledging completion of Stage I in the approval process for the DNP program at MC.
“This is a milestone that reflects the strong work of our School of Nursing faculty and leadership in demonstrating both the clear workforce need and MC’s capacity to deliver a high-quality DNP program,” Highfield said. “While important steps remain, we are encouraged by the progress and remain committed to developing a program that will prepare advanced nursing leaders who will translate research into practice, improve patient outcomes, and strengthen healthcare education and systems across Mississippi.”
Remaining steps in Stage II of IHL’s approval process for the proposed DNP program include qualifying for the initial accreditation, the submission of a self-study for the DNP program, and hosting a site visit by the IHL’s nursing education staff.
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